ATM and POS terminal and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A method of providing money, goods, services or the like to an account-holder based on an account when the daily ATM limit set by a bank has been met, or when a debit or credit card PIN cannot be remembered. The process will enable one to access cash and items of value through either the ATM network or a point-of-sale network to thereby obtain cash or an item of value. If the account-holder has exceeded the ATM network limit, a processor may prompt the account-holder to determine if the account-holder would like to access the account through the point-of-sale network. The money or item of value will be disbursed to the account-holder at a third location, where precautionary security measures may be utilized to ensure that the person receiving the cash is indeed the proper account-holder.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/591,996, filed on Jun. 12, 2000, entitled “ATM AND POSTERMINAL AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF” which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/007,740, filed on Jan. 15, 1998, entitled“ATM AND POS TERMINAL AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF,” now issued U.S. Pat.No. 6,081,792.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an automated teller machine (ATM), andmore particularly an automated teller machine that allows one to obtaincash from an account via various processes such as an ATM process or apoint-of-sale process, with both debit cards and credit cards.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In today's society, there are many ways in which to purchase goods andservices. The most common way is with cash. Cash is almost alwaysaccepted since it is a bearer instrument. Other common methods includechecks, credit cards, and electronic fund transactions (EFTs) thatutilize debit or ATM cards. Often, in order to prevent fraud, a personutilizing a check or credit card must present some form ofidentification. Additionally, with EFTs, a personal identificationnumber or PIN is required. Accordingly, some places insist upon paymentin cash.

Convenience sometimes dictates the method of payment. Sometimes it issimply inconvenient or impossible to utilize a check, credit card ordebit card in various situations; for example, in casinos, nightclubs orbars where one is not running a “tab” or simply when an establishment isnot equipped to handle credit cards and EFTs. Likewise, manyestablishments do not wish to bother with the risks associated withaccepting checks, even with proper authentication and identification.

Since cash is so desirable, automated teller machines or ATMs havebecome extremely commonplace. At ATMs, one inserts an ATM or debit cardinto the machine, enters a PIN, and selects an amount of cash. The cashis then disbursed by the machine, provided there is enough cash withinthe person's account. However, banks have established preset limits,which often are $300 a day, and accordingly if one needs more than thelimit or has already exceeded the limit, they will be unable to obtainmore cash until the next day.

Often when one purchases items or services via an EFT with a debit orATM card, the money is debited from the person's account as apoint-of-sale transaction. The banks set different limits forpoint-of-sale transactions versus ATM limits. Accordingly, one can reachtheir ATM limit and not be able to obtain more cash that day from anATM, but will still be able to purchase goods and services via apoint-of-sale transaction because of the distinct and separate limit forpoint-of-sale transactions.

With a credit card, one can make a point-of-sale transaction for thepurchase of goods and services. Additionally, one can obtain cashadvances either in person or via an ATM with the credit card. However,credit cards also have PINs and if one does not regularly utilize acredit card for obtaining cash advances, one will have difficultyremembering their PIN. Since it is not wise to carry copies of your PINon your person in case of theft, if one does not remember their PIN, onewill be unable to obtain cash from an ATM with a credit card.

Accordingly, a method and apparatus for obtaining cash from one'saccount when their daily ATM limit has been reached, or for obtainingcash when one cannot remember their credit card PIN, is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A terminal for and method of providing money to an account-holder from aselected account in accordance with the present invention addresses theshortcomings of the prior art.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method ofproviding money or an item of value to an account-holder based on anaccount includes identifying the account to a terminal, entering apersonal identification number into the terminal, requesting money fromthe account via a first type of transaction, forwarding the first typeof transaction to a processor, forwarding the first type of transactionfrom the processor to a first network, forwarding the first type oftransaction from the first network to a bank, making a denial of thefirst type of transaction, forwarding the denial to the processor,requesting money from the account via a second type of transaction,forwarding the second type of transaction to the processor, forwardingthe second type of transaction from the processor to a second network,forwarding the second type of transaction from the second network to thebank, making an approval of the second type of transaction, forwardingthe approval to the processor, and instructing a money location toprovide money to the account-holder.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, theaccount-holder is issued a script by the terminal upon approval of thesecond type of transaction.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the methodfurther includes instructing the account-holder at the terminal to go tothe money location.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, themethod further includes providing the money at the money location via acheck or other negotiable instrument, imprinting the card on the check,and keeping a copy of the check at the money location.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the methodfurther includes providing money at the money location to theaccount-holder in the form of cash.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, thefirst network is an ATM network and the second network is apoint-of-sale network.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the ATMnetwork and point-of-sale network are integral.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a terminal forproviding cash to an account-holder from an account, with or withoutusing a personal identification number, comprises apparatus forreceiving a card identifying the account, apparatus for enteringinformation, apparatus for communicating with ATM networks andpoint-of-sale networks, and apparatus for dispensing cash.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofproviding money or an item of value to an account-holder based on a bankaccount or a credit card account without using a personal identificationnumber comprises identifying the account to a terminal, making a requestfor money, forwarding the request to a processor, forwarding the requestfrom the processor to a point-of-sale network, forwarding the requestfrom the point-of-sale network to the bank, making an approval of therequest, forwarding the approval to the processor, and instructing amoney location to provide money to the account-holder.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method ofpaying, on behalf of a person, for an item of value from an account ofthe person held by a custodian of the account includes identifying theaccount to a terminal, requesting the item from the account via a firsttype of transaction, forwarding the first type of transaction to aprocessor, forwarding the first type of transaction from the processorto a first network, forwarding the first type of transaction from thefirst network to the custodian of the account, making a denial of thefirst type of transaction, forwarding the denial to the processor,requesting the item from the account via a second type of transaction,forwarding the second type of transaction to the processor, forwardingthe second type of transaction from the processor to a second network,forwarding the second type of transaction from the second network to thecustodian of the account, making an approval of the second type oftransaction, forwarding the approval to the processor, instructing theperson to contact a dispenser, and instructing the dispenser to providethe person with the item of value.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofpaying, on behalf of a person, for an item of value from a credit cardaccount without using a personal identification number comprisesinserting a credit card into a terminal, making a request for the item,forwarding the request to a processor, forwarding the request from theprocessor to a point-of-sale network, forwarding the request from thepoint-of-sale network to an institution that issued the credit card,making an approval of the request, forwarding the approval to theprocessor, and instructing a dispenser to provide the item to theaccount-holder.

Accordingly, a terminal and a method in accordance with the presentinvention enable one to obtain money from a bank account via either anATM network or a point-of-sale network. Additionally, money can beobtained with a credit card or debit card without utilizing a personalidentification number. With the present invention, if one forgets theirPIN, they will still be able to obtain a cash advance with a creditcard. Additionally, if one reaches their ATM limit, more cash may beobtained via the point-of-sale network.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will beunderstood upon reading and understanding the detailed description ofthe preferred exemplary embodiments, found hereinbelow, in conjunctionwith reference to the drawings, in which like numerals represent likeelements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a flow diagram for obtaining cashfrom an account via an ATM; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a system of obtainingmoney via the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a process for obtaining cash via an automatedteller machine, commonly referred to as an ATM, is illustrated. Thisprocess is well known in the art and generally involves anaccount-holder going to an ATM 10 in order to request cash, which is tobe withdrawn from the account-holder's account. The account-holderinserts an ATM or debit card into the ATM, enters a personalidentification number or PIN, and then performs other steps, includingentering the amount of cash desired, based upon the prompts provided bythe ATM. Generally, a typical ATM includes a screen for receiving andreading prompts from the ATM, at least one set of keys for enteringinformation into the ATM, a slot for inserting the debit card, a portfor receiving cash therefrom, and a port for inserting items such as anenvelope for deposits. Some ATMs have a touch screen for enteringinformation in conjunction with or in lieu of the set of keys.

Many ATMs will also accept credit cards in addition to accepting ATM ordebit cards. The process is virtually identical in that theaccount-holder inserts the credit card and enters a PIN. Various promptsand information entering by the account-holder takes place and,eventually, the account-holder may receive their cash.

The information, such as account number and PIN, along with the amountof cash requested, is transmitted by the ATM 10 to an entity referred toas a processor 11. The processor 11 processes the information andforwards it to the ATM network 12, which then in turn forwards it on toa bank 13, which issued the card to the account-holder. The bank willthen determine whether or not the ATM 10 should dispense cash to theaccount-holder. Among the factors that determine whether the ATM shoulddispense the cash is whether or not there are sufficient funds withinthe account and whether or not the account-holder has already met hisdaily ATM limit. Most banks 13 have preset limits for the amount of cashthat can be withdrawn at ATMs by account-holders. A common figure forsuch daily limits is $300.

If for some reason the bank determines that ATM 10 should not dispensethe requested cash to the account-holder, bank 13 transmits the denialback through the network to the ATM.

Turning to FIG. 2, a system for obtaining cash or an item of value suchas tickets, tokens, entrance to an event or location, or the like, forexample, via a process in accordance with the present invention can beexplained. A terminal 20 is provided that generally corresponds to astandard ATM 10 that can handle requests for cash or items of value.Indeed, existing ATMs will be able to operate within the presentinventive system. Accordingly, the terminal 20 will have at least someof the same general features such as a screen for providing prompts andinformation to a terminal user, keys or a keypad or a plurality ofkeypads, slots for inserting cards and/or slots for inputting a chipcard or “chips”, slots for making deposits, and slots for receivingcash. At a minimum, terminal 20 will need a way to communicate with aterminal user, whether it be with a screen, speaker, or printed paper,for example, and further will need the ability to receive informationfrom the terminal user, such as keypads, a microphone, or the like, forexample.

Terminal 20 will be in communication with processor 11, which once againwill receive the request for cash or the like from the account-holder,along with information pertaining to the account-holder's account, thebank that carries the account, and the PIN. Processor 11 is incommunication with ATM network 12, which in turn is in communicationwith bank 13.

Additionally, processor 11 is in communication with point-of-sale or POSnetwork 21, which may utilize some or all of the communication linesutilized by the ATM network. POS network 21 is then in communicationwith bank 13. Indeed, ATM network 12 and POS network 13 may be integraland may be controlled by the same entity.

POS network 13 handles POS transactions wherein an account-holder buysgoods or services and then requests the funds be transferred from theirbank account in exchange or payment for the goods or services. Also, thePOS network handles POS transactions wherein a credit card is utilizedto purchase goods and services. Such transactions are commonly used at,for example, grocery stores, service stations, restaurants, theaters,amusement parks, and numerous other venues. As with the ATM network,banks generally set a daily limit on the amount of money that may bewithdrawn from an account via POS transactions. This limit is generallydifferent than an ATM limit. Similarly, credit cards have total creditlimits, as opposed to daily limits, and often have separate total cashadvance limits. However, some credit cards do have daily limits,especially daily cash advance limits.

With the present invention, an account-holder will approach terminal 20and request cash or the like with an ATM/debit card or a credit card,generally via the traditional ATM network process. The process couldbegin by inserting a card, typing in information to identify theaccount, or swiping the card to read the magnetic strip. With thepresent invention, if the account-holder has reached their daily limitset by the bank, the rejection or denial for cash will preferably bedisplayed to the account-holder at terminal 20. Additionally, terminal20 via processor 11 will preferably prompt the account-holder, asking ifthe account-holder would like to make the transaction a point-of-saletransaction, thereby presenting the account holder with an opportunityto obtain cash via the POS network. If the account-holder so desires,the account-holder will then agree to convert the transaction to a POStransaction and can request the same amount of cash or can request adifferent amount of cash. The processor will then forward the moneyrequest to the POS network, which then forwards the request andappropriate information to bank 13. If the money is available within theaccount, in the case of ATM/debit cards, and the account-holder has notreached their daily preset limit for POS transactions, the bank willapprove the POS transaction and inform the processor of the approval.

Alternatively, the inventive system can automatically convert the firsttransaction to a POS transaction, i.e. a “roll-over”. If theaccount-holder has not reached their daily POS limit, the bank willinform the processor of the approval of the request as a POStransaction.

In the preferred embodiment, processor 11 will inform a money location22 of the approved transaction. Preferably the processor will alsoinform the account-holder of the approval and to proceed to the moneylocation 22. Alternatively, the account-holder will proceed to the moneylocation and the money location will then inquire about or “pull-down”the transaction and approval thereof based on the account number byeither manually entering the account number or by other means, such asreading a magnetic strip, entering part of the account number, enteringa name, etc. Examples of money location 22 include, for example, cashwindows or “cages” within casinos or racetracks, front desks orconcierges of hotels, ticket booths, will-call windows or customerservice windows at stadiums, coliseums, theaters, stores, or amusementparks.

Also, terminal 20 could issue a “script”, which is a form of a“pre-receipt”. The script may indicate information about the transactionand entitle the account-holder to cash or an item of value uponpresentation at money location 22.

At money location 22, cash, negotiable instruments, or items of valuesuch as, for example, tickets, gambling tokens, arcade tokens, etc. willbe provided to the account-holder, preferably upon presentation ofproper identification such as a driver's license. Accordingly, moneylocation 22 can act as a “dispenser”.

In the preferred embodiment, processor 11 will approve the issuance of acheck, drawn against the account-holder's account, at the moneylocation, made out to the money location owner. Upon issuance of thecheck to the money location owner, the money location may imprint a copyof the ATM/POS/credit card onto the check, record driver's licenseinformation onto the check, and/or provide a copy of the imprinted checkto the account-holder for their records. Money location 22 will thenprovide money or an item of value to the account-holder.

In many instances, an account-holder may utilize a credit card asopposed to a debit card. If the account-holder remembers their PIN, therequest for cash from the credit card account (or an item of value paidfor against the credit card account) will follow the standard ATMprocedures. However, as is often the case, if the account-holder cannotrecall their PIN, standard ATM networks will not authorize the ATM todispense cash. With the present invention, the processor will route therequest for cash from the credit card account without the PIN throughthe POS network to the bank. (Likewise, if one forgets their PINassociated with their ATM card, the processor will route the request forcash over the POS network.) If the credit card account credit limit (orATM POS limit) has not been reached, the bank will approve the “cashadvance” and the processor may so notify the money location. Once againthe money location could inquire about the transaction as opposed tobeing informed about it. Also, a script could be issued to theaccount-holder. The processor preferably will then inform theaccount-holder via the terminal 20 to proceed to the money location,where the money or other instrument will be dispensed to theaccount-holder. A check will then be issued to the money location ownerand proper forms of identification may be utilized to avoid fraud, i.e.imprinting the card on the check, recording driver's license informationon the check, etc., yet the account-holder will not be burdened withremembering a seldom-used credit card PIN. A copy of the check will onceagain be given to the account-holder.

Obviously, other methods of providing the money to the money locationowner could be utilized instead of issuing a check. For example, fundscould be provided by the processor to the money location owner via EFT,or a negotiable instrument could be mailed or hand-delivered.

Also, the account-holder could utilize the present system to obtain anitem of value such as goods and services from money locations that areautomated devices such as turnstiles for admittance to various locationsand events, dispensing machines, ticket machines, etc. Upon approval atthe automated device, the account-holder would simply insert their cardin the automated device, swipe the card in the automated device, or havetheir card read at the automated device.

Accordingly, the present invention allows one to obtain cash or an itemof value based on a bank account when the daily ATM limit has beenexceeded and is not possible to proceed to a bank outlet to obtain theneeded cash. Additionally the present invention will allow one to obtainneeded cash or an item of value from a credit card account without theburden of remembering a rarely-used PIN. Additionally, the processallows for adequate security measures to prevent fraudulent use of ATMcards and credit cards.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificexemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that it is intended tocover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A method of providing money or an item of value to an account-holder,the method comprising: identifying an account to a terminal; entering apersonal identification number into the terminal; requesting money or anitem of value based upon the account via a first type of transaction;forwarding the first type of transaction to a processor; forwarding thefirst type of transaction from the processor to a first network;forwarding the first type of transaction from the first network to abank; making a denial of the first type of transaction; forwarding thedenial to the processor; requesting money or an item of value based uponthe account via a second type of transaction; forwarding the second typeof transaction to the processor; forwarding the second type oftransaction from the processor to a second network; forwarding thesecond type of transaction from the second network to the bank; makingan approval of the second type of transaction; forwarding the approvalto the processor; and instructing a money location to provide money oran item of value to the account-holder.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising instructing the account-holder at the terminal to go to themoney location.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing acheck to the money location, imprinting one of an ATM card, a POS cardor a credit card on the check, and providing a copy of the check to theaccount-holder at the money location.
 4. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising providing cash at the money location to the account-holder.5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first network is an ATM network andthe second network is a point-of-sale network.
 6. The method of claim 5wherein the ATM network and the POS network are integral.
 7. The methodof claim 1 wherein the terminal issues a script to the account-holderand the account-holder presents the script to the money location.
 8. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the money location inquires about thetransaction from the processor in order to be instructed to providemoney or an item of value to the account-holder.
 9. The method of claim1 wherein the processor notifies the account-holder at the terminal ofthe denial of the first type of transaction and asks the account-holderif they would like to request the money or item of value via the secondtype of transaction.
 10. A terminal for providing cash to anaccount-holder from an account, with or without using a personalidentification number, the terminal comprising: means for receiving acard identifying the account; means for entering information; means forcommunicating with ATM networks and point-of-sale networks; and meansfor dispensing cash.
 11. A method of providing money or an item of valueto an account-holder based on a bank account or a credit card accountwithout using a personal identification number, the method comprising:identifying the specific account to a terminal; making a request formoney or an item of value; forwarding the request to a processor;forwarding the request from the processor to a point-of-sale network;forwarding the request from the point-of-sale network to the bank;making an approval of the request; forwarding the approval to theprocessor; and instructing a money location to provide money or an itemof value to the account-holder.
 12. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising instructing the account-holder at the terminal to go themoney location.
 13. The method of claim 11 further comprising providinga check to the money location, imprinting one of an ATM card, POS cardor credit card on the check, and providing a copy of the check to theaccount-holder at the money location.
 14. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising providing cash at the money location to the account-holder.15. The method of claim 11 wherein the terminal issues a script to theaccount-holder and the account-holder presents the script to the moneylocation.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the money location inquiresabout the transaction from the processor in order to be instructed toprovide money or an item of value to the account-holder.
 17. The methodof claim 11 wherein the processor notifies the account-holder at theterminal of the denial of the first type of transaction and asks theaccount-holder if they would like to request the money or item of valuevia the second type of transaction.
 18. A method of paying on behalf ofa person for money, from an account of the person held by a custodian ofthe account based on a bank account, the method comprising: identifyingthe account to a terminal; requesting an item from the account via afirst type of transaction; forwarding the first type of transaction to aprocessor; forwarding the first type of transaction from the processorto a first network; forwarding the first type of transaction from thefirst network to the custodian of the account; making a denial of thefirst type of transaction; forwarding the denial to the processor;requesting the item from the account via a second type of transaction;forwarding the second type of transaction to the processor; forwardingthe second type of transaction from the processor to a second network;forwarding the second type of transaction from the second network to thecustodian of the account; making an approval of the second type oftransaction; forwarding the approval to the processor; and instructingthe person to contact a dispenser of the item of value and instructingthe dispenser to provide the person with the item of value.